Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BISHKEK885
2009-08-06 09:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
KYRGYZSTAN'S JEWISH COMMUNITY: THE LONG HISTORY
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000885
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRF PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN'S JEWISH COMMUNITY: THE LONG HISTORY
AND CURRENT SITUATION
BISHKEK 00000885 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000885
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRF PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN'S JEWISH COMMUNITY: THE LONG HISTORY
AND CURRENT SITUATION
BISHKEK 00000885 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) Summary: Long gone are the days of a robust and
vibrant Jewish community in Kyrgyzstan. Like in many former
Soviet republics, most of the Jewish population has
immigrated to Israel, Canada, or the United States. However,
the Jewish community members who have chosen to remain,
approximately 1500 strong, promote the traditions and history
of the Jewish people through the programs of their charitable
organizations. Prominent Jewish citizens in Kyrgyzstan
provide the necessary financial support to continue these
programs into the foreseeable future. End Summary.
HISTORY OF JEWS IN KYRGYZSTAN
--------------
2. (U) The history of the Jewish community in Kyrgyzstan
dates back to the 1880's, when the first Ashkenazi
(German/Eastern European) Jews settled in the northern Kyrgyz
cities of Pishpek (now Bishkek),Tokmok, and Karakol. They
arrived together with an influx of Russian settlers. During
this period, Yahudi or Bukharan Jews arrived from Bukhara and
Samarkand (present-day Uzbekistan) and in the southern Kyrgyz
towns of Osh and Jalalabad. They fled their homeland as a
result of restrictions impressed upon them by the Russian
Colonial Administration that limited their movement within
the Bukharan Khanate.
3. (U) During World War II, a flood of Ashkenazi Jews fled
German Nazi-occupied areas of the Soviet Union and resettled
in Kyrgyzstan. This period saw the height of the Jewish
population reach an estimated 26,000. Members of the Jewish
community fulfilled prominent roles in Kyrgyzstan society, as
authors, scholars, politicians, artists, and scientists with
little animosity from the Kyrgyz population.
THE RETURN TO ISRAEL
--------------
4. (SBU) The exodus of Jews from the Soviet Union to Israel
and other nations depleted the population in Kyrgyzstan to an
estimated 7,200 by 1989, according to a government census.
Doctor Boris Shapiro, Chairman of the Board of Jewish Culture
Society of Kyrgyzstan "Menora," told POLOFF that the severe
limitations of freedom instilled by Soviet policies drove
Jews to seek a better life in Israel, Canada, or the United
States. Although his own children immigrated to Israel, he
vowed never to leave Kyrgyzstan, stating that "I am old and
this will always be my home." Shapiro is typical of the
estimated 1,500 Jews remaining in Kyrgyzstan, comprised of a
predominantly elderly population unwilling to uproot their
lives.
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORT JEWISH COMMUNITY
-------------- --------------
5. (SBU) Although their primary focus is to support Jewish
seniors, Jewish charitable organizations also conduct
outreach programs, sponsor youth sports and art clubs, and
provide seminars on health care. Rosa Fish, Director of the
Jewish Charitable Fund of Bishkek "Hesed Tikva" and
Vice-Chairwoman of "Menora," told POLOFF that the elderly
Jewish community benefits from programs that provide food and
other necessary household products, pay heating bills in the
winter, and assist with medical care. In addition, she noted
that their organizations support youth sports and art clubs,
sponsor trips to Issyk-Kul for families and individuals,
conduct health seminars on emergency medical care and child
healthcare, and organize outreach programs in schools to
educate students on the tragedies of the Holocaust. "Hesed
Tikva" and "Menora" also fund a newspaper for the Jewish
community and a school that conducts lessons on Judaism, with
the goal of promoting the traditions and history of the
BISHKEK 00000885 002.2 OF 002
Jewish people.
LOCAL DONORS SUPPORT JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS
--------------
6. (SBU) The primary source of funding for the Jewish
assistance organizations and the local synagogue in
Kyrgyzstan is the Jewish community itself. Shapiro and Fish
agreed that without the support of members of the Jewish
community, businessmen, politicians, and other wealthy
individuals, their organizations would not exist. When asked
about financial support from Israel, Rabbi Arie Raichman,
head of the only Jewish synagogue in Kyrgyzstan, told POLOFF
that funding for his facilities came from within the
community and that "the State of Israel supports us morally,
as we do the same for it."
GFOELLER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRF PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN'S JEWISH COMMUNITY: THE LONG HISTORY
AND CURRENT SITUATION
BISHKEK 00000885 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) Summary: Long gone are the days of a robust and
vibrant Jewish community in Kyrgyzstan. Like in many former
Soviet republics, most of the Jewish population has
immigrated to Israel, Canada, or the United States. However,
the Jewish community members who have chosen to remain,
approximately 1500 strong, promote the traditions and history
of the Jewish people through the programs of their charitable
organizations. Prominent Jewish citizens in Kyrgyzstan
provide the necessary financial support to continue these
programs into the foreseeable future. End Summary.
HISTORY OF JEWS IN KYRGYZSTAN
--------------
2. (U) The history of the Jewish community in Kyrgyzstan
dates back to the 1880's, when the first Ashkenazi
(German/Eastern European) Jews settled in the northern Kyrgyz
cities of Pishpek (now Bishkek),Tokmok, and Karakol. They
arrived together with an influx of Russian settlers. During
this period, Yahudi or Bukharan Jews arrived from Bukhara and
Samarkand (present-day Uzbekistan) and in the southern Kyrgyz
towns of Osh and Jalalabad. They fled their homeland as a
result of restrictions impressed upon them by the Russian
Colonial Administration that limited their movement within
the Bukharan Khanate.
3. (U) During World War II, a flood of Ashkenazi Jews fled
German Nazi-occupied areas of the Soviet Union and resettled
in Kyrgyzstan. This period saw the height of the Jewish
population reach an estimated 26,000. Members of the Jewish
community fulfilled prominent roles in Kyrgyzstan society, as
authors, scholars, politicians, artists, and scientists with
little animosity from the Kyrgyz population.
THE RETURN TO ISRAEL
--------------
4. (SBU) The exodus of Jews from the Soviet Union to Israel
and other nations depleted the population in Kyrgyzstan to an
estimated 7,200 by 1989, according to a government census.
Doctor Boris Shapiro, Chairman of the Board of Jewish Culture
Society of Kyrgyzstan "Menora," told POLOFF that the severe
limitations of freedom instilled by Soviet policies drove
Jews to seek a better life in Israel, Canada, or the United
States. Although his own children immigrated to Israel, he
vowed never to leave Kyrgyzstan, stating that "I am old and
this will always be my home." Shapiro is typical of the
estimated 1,500 Jews remaining in Kyrgyzstan, comprised of a
predominantly elderly population unwilling to uproot their
lives.
CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORT JEWISH COMMUNITY
-------------- --------------
5. (SBU) Although their primary focus is to support Jewish
seniors, Jewish charitable organizations also conduct
outreach programs, sponsor youth sports and art clubs, and
provide seminars on health care. Rosa Fish, Director of the
Jewish Charitable Fund of Bishkek "Hesed Tikva" and
Vice-Chairwoman of "Menora," told POLOFF that the elderly
Jewish community benefits from programs that provide food and
other necessary household products, pay heating bills in the
winter, and assist with medical care. In addition, she noted
that their organizations support youth sports and art clubs,
sponsor trips to Issyk-Kul for families and individuals,
conduct health seminars on emergency medical care and child
healthcare, and organize outreach programs in schools to
educate students on the tragedies of the Holocaust. "Hesed
Tikva" and "Menora" also fund a newspaper for the Jewish
community and a school that conducts lessons on Judaism, with
the goal of promoting the traditions and history of the
BISHKEK 00000885 002.2 OF 002
Jewish people.
LOCAL DONORS SUPPORT JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS
--------------
6. (SBU) The primary source of funding for the Jewish
assistance organizations and the local synagogue in
Kyrgyzstan is the Jewish community itself. Shapiro and Fish
agreed that without the support of members of the Jewish
community, businessmen, politicians, and other wealthy
individuals, their organizations would not exist. When asked
about financial support from Israel, Rabbi Arie Raichman,
head of the only Jewish synagogue in Kyrgyzstan, told POLOFF
that funding for his facilities came from within the
community and that "the State of Israel supports us morally,
as we do the same for it."
GFOELLER